COMMISSIONREVISESSCHEDULE

The grinch isn't stealing Christmas from the Lawrence City Commission, but he is taking a present that commissioners had given themselves.

Earlier this month, the commission had given itself a day off, canceling its Dec. 26 meeting because of the holidays. But at its meeting Tuesday, Acting City Manager Mike Wildgen gave commissioners the bad news: Because of year-end business, the commission does need to meet next week.

Although the commissioners voted unanimously to meet next week, they won't be coming to city hall the day after Christmas for their regular Tuesday night meeting. Instead, commissioners will meet at 10 a.m. next Wednesday.

IN OTHER action Tuesday, the commission:

In a single motion, unanimously approved the following consent agenda items:

Awarding the sanitary sewer project near North Sixth and Maple streets to LRM Industries, which submitted the low bid of $15,648.

A recommendation from the Traffic Safety Commission to remove parking on the south side of Second Street from the west curbline of Michigan Street.

A recommendation from the Traffic Safety Commission to install a stop sign on 27th Street Place at Louisiana Street.

Deferring, at the request of neighbors, acting on a Traffic Safety Commission recommendation to install yield signs on Vermont Street at 16th Street.

Receiving a letter from the Kansas University Student Senate's Community Affairs representative regarding construction of a stop sign on the east side of Emery Road between Ninth Street and West Hills Terrace.

First reading of an ordinance amending the definition of hotel in the city's zoning ordinance.

First reading of an ordinance exempting property taxes on new equipment for Allen Press.

Indefinitely deferred a resolution to authorize funds to improve 31st Street from Iowa to Kasold.

After removing the following items from the consent agenda for discussion, the commission:

Unanimously approved minutes from the commission's most recent meeting and its meeting of Nov. 14.

Approved on first reading, by a 4-1 vote, an ordinance exempting property taxes on new equipment for E&E; Specialties. Commissioner Mike Rundle voted against the ordinance.

Unanimously approved on first reading an ordinance declaring West Sixth Street a major trafficway from Monterey Way to Wakarusa Drive.

Unanimously approved a resolution to improve Sixth Street from Maine to Massachusetts as part of the connecting link program in 1990. The project will include new overlay and striping, and city officials are investigating the possibility of widening the street for the addition of a center turn lane.

Unanimously approved a resolution to change the sanitary sewer benefit district serving the River Ridge area.

Approved on a 3-0-2 vote cereal malt beverage licenses for 1990 for 10 local businesses. Mayor Bob Schumm and Commissioner David Penny abstained from the vote.

On regular agenda items, the commission:

Heard a presentation by Ray Petty, executive director of Independence Inc., urging the commission to support passage in Congress of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1989.

Accepted from Walt and Gloria Morton a check for $500 to be used toward the beautification and modification of the northwest corner of the intersection at 23rd and Massachusetts.

Unanimously approved a revision to a site plan for Quail Run Hollow, 15th and Inverness. The plan increases the total number of dwellings from 21 residential units to 31 residential units.

Deferred until Jan. 2 consideration of a site plan for East Exit Motel, to be located near the Kansas Turnpike's East Lawrence exit.

Unanimously authorized application to the Kansas Partnership Fund for a loan of up to $350,000 to aid in construction of a railroad spur into East Hills Business Park. The commission earlier had authorized application for a $300,000 loan, but Douglas County Development Inc., which operates the park, said refinements in cost estimates indicated the additional amount may be needed.

Held a public hearing and unanimously voted to authorize a resolution against forming a benefit district for construction of a sidewalk on the south side of Peterson Road from Princeton to Kasold. Commissioners indicated they would reconsider the district following completion of a residential development being planned nearby.

Appointed E.J. Allison and Mike Treanor to three-year and reappointed Tim Fritzel and John Kapfer to three-year terms on the Building Code Board of Appeals.